Perry Seeks to Form Super PAC

Former presidential candidate Rick Perry has asked the Federal Election Commission for permission to use the money he has left in his presidential campaign committee to start a PAC or super PAC, Politico reports.

The Texas governor also asked whether he can transfer some of the money left in his presidential committee to his Texas gubernatorial campaign committee. Perry’s request didn’t say how much money he has in the presidential committee.

The move indicates Perry hopes to stay in the national political arena. Candidates often put cash from aborted campaigns to work in political action committees. But in the past, they generally chose leadership PACs that allow them to finance political staff, travel the country, and make donations to their favorite candidates.

Super PACs can’t be used for donations to candidates. But super PACs can take in unlimited donations from individuals, corporations, and unions. A Perry super PAC could seek large contributions from wealthy donors and their companies and then spend that money on ads supporting Newt Gingrich, whom Perry endorsed when he withdrew from the presidential race, and/or other candidates.

Perry himself isn’t up for re-election in Texas until 2014 and hasn’t signaled whether he will run for another term. He was elected lieutenant governor of Texas in 1998 and became governor in December 2000 when then-Gov. George W. Bush resigned to become president. Perry won re-election in 2002, 2006 and 2010.